Santa Ana : 4 Meetings Scheduled on Charter Proposal

Four public meetings have been set for April in an effort to provide information on proposed changes in the city’s form of government, including a charter amendment that will be voted on in the June 3 election.

A citizens group, the Santa Ana Merged Society of Neighbors, collected enough signatures to force its proposal before the voters. That amendment would have council members elected by district vote and the mayor--a separate position--elected by a citywide vote. The council is currently elected by a citywide vote and council members choose from one of their ranks to be mayor.

A charter commission appointed by the City Council has also come up with proposed changes that could go before the voters in November, nullifying the June amendment if approved by the voters.

Both proposals will be reviewed at the meetings and citizens will be given the opportunity to question city officials and members of the charter commission. Members of the citizens group say they will also attend and provide their opinions on the issue.

The meetings, all from 7 to 9 p.m., are scheduled for:

- April 14 at Santa Ana High School, 520 W. Walnut St.

- April 16 at the Newhope Library, 122 N. Newhope St.

- April 22 at Lathrop Intermediate School, 1111 S. Broadway.

- April 24 at the City Council chambers, 20 Civic Center Plaza.